Broken syringes and vials of blood were found scattered around a commercial dumpster on Pyramid Way Saturday afternoon. The mess was cleaned up after a witness called Sparks Police to report it. Washoe County officials say the blood-contaminated materials should never have been put in the dumpster. Health codes require materials contaminated by human or animal blood and tissue to be collected and destroyed by a county approved agency.

A family medicine clinic and a veterinary clinic both share the parking lot where the dumpster is located, but so far authorities have not identified who may be responsible. Health officials say they will conduct an investigation and educational campaign based on the incident. They say in addition to reducing the risk of accidental infection, rules regarding medical waste are aimed at protecting waste collection workers, and people salvaging items from dumpsters.

Anyone who finds contaminated waste in the wrong place is asked to call the Washoe County Health Department at (775) 328-2436